Brew Beer Like a Yeti

Traditional Techniques and Recipes for Unconventional Ales, Gruits, and Other Ferments Using Minimal Hops

The Brew Beer Like a Yeti cover
Pages:336 pages
Book Art:Full-color photographs throughout
Size: 6 x 9 inch
Publisher:Chelsea Green Publishing
Pub. Date: September 13, 2018
ISBN: 9781603587655

Brew Beer Like a Yeti

Traditional Techniques and Recipes for Unconventional Ales, Gruits, and Other Ferments Using Minimal Hops

Availability: In stock

Paperback

$24.95

In stock



Bronze Winner—Best Book from the Beer Writers Guild

Experimentation, mystery, resourcefulness, and above all, fun—these are the hallmarks of brewing beer like a Yeti.

Since the craft beer and homebrewing boom of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, beer lovers have enjoyed drinking and brewing a vast array of beer styles. However, most are brewed to accentuate a single ingredient—hops—and few contain the myriad herbs and spices that were standard in beer and gruit recipes from medieval times back to ancient people’s discovery that grain could be malted and fermented into beer.

Like his first book, Make Mead Like a Viking, Jereme Zimmerman’s Brew Beer Like a Yeti returns to ancient practices and ingredients and brings storytelling, mysticism, and folklore back to the brewing process, including a broad range of ales, gruits, bragots, and other styles that have undeservingly taken a backseat to the IPA. Recipes inspired by traditions around the globe include sahti, gotlandsdricka, oak bark and mushroom ale, wassail, pawpaw wheat, chicha de muko, and even Neolithic “stone” beers.

More importantly, under the guidance of  “the world’s only peace-loving, green-living Appalachian Yeti Viking,” readers will learn about the many ways to go beyond the pale ale, utilizing alternatives to standard grains, hops, and commercial yeasts to defy the strictures of style and design their own brews.

 

Reviews and Praise

  • “Jereme Zimmerman’s curiosity about beer is contagious, and his explanations of ingredients and processes could make even a wine drinker want to brew beer. This book is a great resource.”—Amy Halloran, author of The New Bread Basket


More Reviews and Praise


  • “Jereme Zimmerman challenges homebrewer and craft brewer alike to explore the marvelous brewing world of our ancestors, full of every kind of herbal, full-bodied concoction imaginable. The ancient palette of flavors and aromas went far beyond the hopped, dark malted, or sour beers of today’s brewing renaissance, which has only just begun and has much to gain by a close reading of this book and its practical application.”—Patrick E. McGovern, author of Ancient Brews and Uncorking the Past

  • “Empowering and refreshing, this book throws aside conventional assumptions about brewing dos and don’ts to embrace adventure and intuition. It’s all here: flavor, fearlessness, and, most importantly, fun. Jereme is an incredibly informed and totally hang-worthy guide, and after journeying with him through oft-overlooked annals of brewing history, I know you’ll come away eager to brew beer like a yeti.”—Sara Bir, author of The Fruit Forager’s Companion

  • “Gruits and ales and beers, oh my! This book is a must-have for any ferment adventurer. Jereme Zimmerman, in his enjoyable writing style, takes the reader and brewer through the history of these venerable brews and how they played a role in shaping what we now think of as beer. Guiding the reader through ingredients and techniques to make traditional brews, beyond conventional styles, Jereme builds one’s confidence to create their own unique draughts.”–Kirsten K. Shockey, author of Fermented Vegetables and Fiery Ferments

  • “In Brew Beer Like a Yeti, Jereme Zimmerman shares his laid-back yet informed brewing style. Exploring ancient brewing techniques and unique ingredients, he presents the reader with a range of interesting recipes as well as the tools to create distinctive brews of one’s own. In a beer landscape often dominated by what is new or novel (and often hoppy), Brew Beer Like a Yeti is a refreshing and unique addition to the library of any brewer or beer-lover.”—Mike Smith, professional brewer; coauthor of The Comic Book Story of Beer

  • “Get your grain buckets and put on your folklore-thinking caps, because yeti brewing is about to get real. Jereme Zimmerman takes an unconventional approach to both the historical presentation and brewing methods of ale to deliver this brilliant beer tome. But rest assured, Big Beer won’t want you to read Brew Beer Like a Yeti. You’ll know too much and stop drinking their swill.”—Fred Minnick, author of Mead and Bourbon

  • Brew Beer Like a Yeti is an essential companion for any beer enthusiast. Both well-researched and informed by the author’s personal experience, Jereme Zimmerman’s latest book guides you through the joys of beer, from its ancient origins and the rise of regional styles to the delight of brewing with foraged ingredients from your own backyard. Whether you’re a novice fermenter or an established brewer, Zimmerman’s approachable recipes, paired with his fresh perspective, will encourage you to experiment and embrace the funky, wild side of beer.”—Andrew Moore, author of Pawpaw

  • “Jereme Zimmerman has captured the mystique and magic of fermentation in this paean to beer’s vital role in human culture and history. The stories are fascinating and blended with the right amount of technique, so that regardless of brewing experience, anyone can dive headfirst into their own experiments. The essence of fermentation is creativity; this book provides the guidelines for infinite variety.”—Hannah Crum, coauthor of The Big Book of Kombucha

  • “If you ever thought you didn’t care about the history of brewing, think again! Jereme Zimmerman’s new book reminds us that the entire beer industry was built on the traditions and lore passed down from many generations of home brewers like us. In Brew Beer Like a Yeti, Jereme effortlessly brings beer, mead, and other fascinating fermented drinks into our home kitchens, while weaving in legends and tales of home brewers from many different cultures around the world. Brewing fermented beverages isn’t just an interesting hobby; it’s a useful skill to be proud of and a tradition worthy of being passed on. Brew Beer Like a Yeti gives you even more reasons to look forward to brewing day, and you will be as excited as I am to share these amazing handcrafted drinks, and the stories that go with them.”—Victoria Redhed Miller, author of Craft Distilling and From No-Knead to Sourdough

  • “Jereme’s newest book gives readers access to both the folklore and history of brewing ales and gruits, as well as the technical background and modern advances of fermenting beer. I firmly believe that this merging of both old and new in Brew Beer Like a Yeti is where the most delicious and innovative ferments live, without the intimidating learning curve.”—Pete Halupka, Harvest Roots Ferments



Reviews and Praise

  • “Jereme Zimmerman’s curiosity about beer is contagious, and his explanations of ingredients and processes could make even a wine drinker want to brew beer. This book is a great resource.”—Amy Halloran, author of The New Bread Basket

More Reviews and Praise
  • “Jereme Zimmerman challenges homebrewer and craft brewer alike to explore the marvelous brewing world of our ancestors, full of every kind of herbal, full-bodied concoction imaginable. The ancient palette of flavors and aromas went far beyond the hopped, dark malted, or sour beers of today’s brewing renaissance, which has only just begun and has much to gain by a close reading of this book and its practical application.”—Patrick E. McGovern, author of Ancient Brews and Uncorking the Past

  • “Empowering and refreshing, this book throws aside conventional assumptions about brewing dos and don’ts to embrace adventure and intuition. It’s all here: flavor, fearlessness, and, most importantly, fun. Jereme is an incredibly informed and totally hang-worthy guide, and after journeying with him through oft-overlooked annals of brewing history, I know you’ll come away eager to brew beer like a yeti.”—Sara Bir, author of The Fruit Forager’s Companion

  • “Gruits and ales and beers, oh my! This book is a must-have for any ferment adventurer. Jereme Zimmerman, in his enjoyable writing style, takes the reader and brewer through the history of these venerable brews and how they played a role in shaping what we now think of as beer. Guiding the reader through ingredients and techniques to make traditional brews, beyond conventional styles, Jereme builds one’s confidence to create their own unique draughts.”–Kirsten K. Shockey, author of Fermented Vegetables and Fiery Ferments

  • “In Brew Beer Like a Yeti, Jereme Zimmerman shares his laid-back yet informed brewing style. Exploring ancient brewing techniques and unique ingredients, he presents the reader with a range of interesting recipes as well as the tools to create distinctive brews of one’s own. In a beer landscape often dominated by what is new or novel (and often hoppy), Brew Beer Like a Yeti is a refreshing and unique addition to the library of any brewer or beer-lover.”—Mike Smith, professional brewer; coauthor of The Comic Book Story of Beer

  • “Get your grain buckets and put on your folklore-thinking caps, because yeti brewing is about to get real. Jereme Zimmerman takes an unconventional approach to both the historical presentation and brewing methods of ale to deliver this brilliant beer tome. But rest assured, Big Beer won’t want you to read Brew Beer Like a Yeti. You’ll know too much and stop drinking their swill.”—Fred Minnick, author of Mead and Bourbon

  • Brew Beer Like a Yeti is an essential companion for any beer enthusiast. Both well-researched and informed by the author’s personal experience, Jereme Zimmerman’s latest book guides you through the joys of beer, from its ancient origins and the rise of regional styles to the delight of brewing with foraged ingredients from your own backyard. Whether you’re a novice fermenter or an established brewer, Zimmerman’s approachable recipes, paired with his fresh perspective, will encourage you to experiment and embrace the funky, wild side of beer.”—Andrew Moore, author of Pawpaw

  • “Jereme Zimmerman has captured the mystique and magic of fermentation in this paean to beer’s vital role in human culture and history. The stories are fascinating and blended with the right amount of technique, so that regardless of brewing experience, anyone can dive headfirst into their own experiments. The essence of fermentation is creativity; this book provides the guidelines for infinite variety.”—Hannah Crum, coauthor of The Big Book of Kombucha

  • “If you ever thought you didn’t care about the history of brewing, think again! Jereme Zimmerman’s new book reminds us that the entire beer industry was built on the traditions and lore passed down from many generations of home brewers like us. In Brew Beer Like a Yeti, Jereme effortlessly brings beer, mead, and other fascinating fermented drinks into our home kitchens, while weaving in legends and tales of home brewers from many different cultures around the world. Brewing fermented beverages isn’t just an interesting hobby; it’s a useful skill to be proud of and a tradition worthy of being passed on. Brew Beer Like a Yeti gives you even more reasons to look forward to brewing day, and you will be as excited as I am to share these amazing handcrafted drinks, and the stories that go with them.”—Victoria Redhed Miller, author of Craft Distilling and From No-Knead to Sourdough

  • “Jereme’s newest book gives readers access to both the folklore and history of brewing ales and gruits, as well as the technical background and modern advances of fermenting beer. I firmly believe that this merging of both old and new in Brew Beer Like a Yeti is where the most delicious and innovative ferments live, without the intimidating learning curve.”—Pete Halupka, Harvest Roots Ferments


About Jereme Zimmerman

Jereme Zimmerman is a writer and traditional brewing revivalist who lives in Berea, Kentucky with his wife Jenna, daughters Sadie and Maisie, and herds of wild yeast that he corrals into various fermentation creations. He writes for the New Pioneer, Backwoods Home, Hobby Farms, Mother Earth News, and other magazines. He is a popular public speaker, presenting and holding workshops across the country on topics such as fermentation, natural and holistic homebrewing, modern homesteading, and sustainable living. His first book, Make Mead Like a Viking, was published in 2015.

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